Anchoring and mooring

Boats anchored away from reef in the Marine Park

The Great Barrier Reef offers visitors stunning vistas � both above and below the water, but it contains some very fragile environments. An act as simple as hoisting an anchor overboard may have a significant impact on the world below. It may be years before the damaged area recovers or, in some cases, the coral may never return to its former glory.

By taking a little extra care when anchoring and using moorings where available, you will help protect this delicate underwater �landscape�.

Responsible Reef Practices

When anchoring

Examine the area before anchoring to find the best location
Anchor in sand or mud away from corals
Anchor away from fragile or sensitive areas including bird and turtle nesting areas, Indigenous heritage sites and shipwrecks
Anchor your boat a safe distance away from other boats
Look out for the safety of people in the water when dropping your anchor
Never wrap the anchor rope or chain around bommies or large coral heads
If anchoring ashore, carefully place the anchor to minimise shore and coastal damage
If anchoring overnight, anchor before nightfall and double check the swing room
Carry enough chain and line for the depth you want to anchor in
Use the correct anchor for your situation and environment
Retrieve the anchor when the line is vertical
If the anchor is caught on the reef, free it by hand wherever possible
Do not force the anchor free by motoring forward
Use only as much chain as you need to hold the vessel, without compromising safety
Keep watch to make sure the anchor isn�t dragging
Motor towards the anchor when hauling it in.

When mooring

A Public Mooring buoy in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

A public mooring buoy in the Marine Park

Use public moorings where available
Do not attach your vessel to a damaged mooring
When picking up a mooring:

Motor into the wind toward the buoy
Avoid running over the pick-up line
Use a boat hook to retrieve the pick-up line
Attach the line to a strong point or bollard on the vessel.

When using a public mooring, read and follow the advice given on an information disc attached to the pick-up line
Vacate a public mooring as soon as you can to allow access for others.

Marine Parks Legal Requirements

You can generally anchor in most places in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, but you must not damage or remove coral
You are required to comply with all designated �No Anchoring Areas� (generally marked with pyramid-shaped buoys)
There are specific management arrangements for anchoring in the Cairns, Hinchinbrook and Whitsunday Planning Areas:
- You must take reasonable care not to damage coral in the Cairns, Hinchinbrook and Whitsunday Planning Areas
- In general, you must not anchor within 50 metres of moorings and 200 metres of pontoons within the Cairns Planning Area
- In the Cairns Planning Area, vessels between 35 metres and 70 metres in length may anchor at a designated Reef Anchorage or cruise ship anchorage or outside a Location. Vessels greater than 70 metres can only anchor at a cruise ship anchorage or outside a Location
- In the Hinchinbrook Planning Area, vessels larger than 20 metres can not operate in the Missionary Bay Location
- In the Whitsunday Planning Area, vessels between 35 metres and 70 metres in length can only anchor 1500 metres away from reefs or the coastline unless at a Setting 1 area or a designated cruise ship anchorage. Vessels greater than 70 metres can only anchor at a cruise ship anchorage or 1500 metres away from reefs or the coastline provided the ship is in a General Use Zone or Shipping Area.
You must not remove, misuse or damage public moorings
You must comply with the time limit specified on each public mooring buoy
You must have a Marine Parks permit to install a mooring
You must display your GBRMPA mooring reference number on your mooring buoy in a permanent manner so that it is legible at all times. A Maritime Safety Queensland buoy mooring authority number will be accepted.